Sunday, January 24, 2016

It was over the Holidays that I was able to take a little time to read...for fun. I am an avid reader of biographies, and this time I spent exploring the history of a few of my favorite artist. There was one theme that constantly appears... "Paint in a series". Use the same basic theme; whether it is color, shapes, objects, it doesn't matter. Render them in a minimum of ten paintings. That is what I'm doing with this new series. Exploring the same theme over and over. At first you would think that painting the same thing, ten or more times, would get Really Boring. In fact it does quite the opposite. As the artist, you become very familiar with what ever material you might be using, which opens up the freedom to explore the theme.

Wiggles and Giggles...A study in the application of shapes and lines added to an abstract painting incorporating the dominate use of circles.

This is a big transition from my usual work. I would love to hear from you. What do you think about the change? Have you ever tried a similar approach with anything, maybe writing, setting up a new approach to teaching a lesson, managing your personal budget. What were your results; both positive and or negative. Would you do it again?

Sunday, January 17, 2016

What ever you do in this life it should be something you enjoy, I feel so lucky to be able to travel a new ,uncharted path. It always seems so exciting full of life,joy and passion. Sinc the start of 2016. I seem to be headed in a slightly new direction. The abstract pieces I have been working on feel light, more fun and playful. I guess the universe decided it was time play.

I am having so much fun working on these new pieces. I hope you will stop back this week and check on the,progress I am making.

Friday, January 8, 2016

I would say I was trying to rush Spring, but with such extremely mild temperatures this winter many of my Spring flowers are already coming up. Probably not the best for them since winter temperatures are scheduled for next week.

Thursday, January 7, 2016

The first step I. This process is to cover the canvas in a neutral color. I usually follow the rule that says to "paint light over dark" when I am just starting a new canvas. Of course like all rules, it is sometimes best to break it. Since I am using Acrylic paint the dry time between layers will be a lot shorter than if I was using oil.

Tuesday, January 5, 2016

As many of you know I began 2015 with a challenge. I had never worked in acrylics and decided the best wat to learn was to dive right in. Twelve months later , a new year and a new beginning. I have been doing a daily abstract for the past eight months. There have been a lot of challenges with the daily pieces. First I was working in oils, which take forever to dry and process. Secondly I found the extremely small surface area very restrictive, and limiting brush movement. For these two primary reasons I am headed down a slightly different road. I am shifting to 8"X 10" canvases to gain a little more space and,for January at least, I'll be working in acrylics and additional material. This will allow me to occasionally incorporate the plaster from my Plaster Painting Classes. The two paintings below are the first two I completed in oils. They are very wet with thick paint and will take awhile to dry. I have switched to acrylics and the paintings for the rest of the month will be in acrylics.

I hope you will join me on this journey as I travel down a new path. Thank you for letting me visit with you today.